Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-25
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE WATER QUESTION.
Ex-Water Registrar Crane Replies to
Ex.Water Registrar Boad-The Water
Rents should Not He Raised.

THE WATER QUESTION.
EN-water Reei.srar Crane Replies to
Ex.Water Registrar Bond-The Winter
Rents should Not He Raised.
TO the Editor Of TEE EvEsrse STAR:
In a report OF meeting OF Citizens Association
No. s. published In last evenings STAR a report on
the water question was made by Mr. ex-water
Registrar G. r Bond, which, though chiefly con-
spicuous for what 1t does not say, yet contains
some statements that demand attention Excuse
me for treSpaSs1ng further upon your valuable
space, but as this Is question that vitality con-
Germs the pockets as wei as the health and happi-
ness. OF 100000 people, full and free discussion
of the proposed increase OF water rates should be
allowed VIII be as brief as possible. Mr.. Bond
IS reported as follows: referring to a statement
IN a communication TO THE STAR that the receipts
for $3.50 from alter rents amounted 10 $165, 5S3
while for the past year they amounted TO
only 1924, 96S. Is apparently he said, this state
meIt is correct, but in fact IL Is erroneous. At
abo1t that time the change was made, whereby
the water rents became payable in July instead OF
in January, which caused the receipts by fiscal
years to be thrown somew hat out of balance"
Mr.. Bond Is mistaken IN this, as citizens Can see
By referring TO their water rent bills have bills
before me that prove that the change from Janu-
1880 as Mr.. Bond puts IT, When the 90 per cent
was put on, In 1880, there was much complaint,
February % 1880 10 take effect from January i.
1880 Bills were sent out for only six months at a
time that year, for what reason / do not know,
but presume 1t was TO pacffy people and make IL
easier for them to pay the Increased rates. But
the 1st OF January, 1881, they were rendered as
usual for one year from the LIST Of January, and
continued in that way until January l. 1853,
when they were made out only until the Ist OF
July since which time they have commenced With
the fiscal year.
IL may De that Mr. Cox collected a lot OF back
rents In 1880 TO swell the amount beyond the
think he did. / only copy from his report, which,
It seems, was made out for the fiscal year, though
the rents commenced in January. But this could
not be enough TO make up the olnerence OF
SO 71519 In the receipts for water rent In 1880
over those OF 1855, and the further difference in
receipts from 1888 additional water takers In
1856 over the number in 1850.
Mr.. Bond has furnished some igures that enable
me 70 prove beyond question that there is heavy
deficiency In water rents.
The receipts from water rents during the time
had charge OF the ONCE. from June 90, 1870, TO
months and Jour days were s37,4291T.
This was from the city OF Washington alone,
Georgetown and the county having been since
taken on
The total number OF water-takers at that time,
as shown by my report was 6,IoS- In order TO
add 20 per cent to the So rents Of that year
which gives the sum OF $44, e15. This divided BY
g. 75S the number OF water-taEers, gives a rae
ton less than 1865 the average price paid for
water rents that year. This, IL should be borne
In mind was Tor Washington alone during period
OF eleven months and four days At that time the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, whose locomo-
Ityes pay from 75 to $3.50 each Tor water, had not
been built; the thousand OF great houses in the
northwest lad not been built; the Grant row and
other large houses on Capitol Hill had not been
built; the TWO great brick yards with their heavy
machinery and great water rents mao not started
others have been made; the Belt Line cars had
not commenced running; ali Of which have greatly
increased the average or water rents
Now let US see what the average last year was:
Capt SymOnS gives the receipts for water rents
from July 1. 1885, 10 June 30 1885 as sl24 96s ls
Mr. Bond. who seems TO speak by authority. states
that "the total number Of water services up TO the
end OF the fiscal year 1Sso's6 were %, OH" This
price paid for water june 80 1886, was fraction
less than 81 60 proving that the average for water
rents on The 3Ouh OF June, 1888, was S1.75 less
than May "a. 1871. This shows that TO make the
average to-day equal TO 1871 S44. $3.50 should be
added 10 last years receipts for water rents.
faction or ali candid minds the truth of INV asser
ton in The STAR OF the 18TH inst, that there was
deficiency in the water rents last year Of fully
Mr. Bond is silent ON the question Of increasing
the water tax. AS he has assumed to speak by
authority on this question. and as ne Is LAWYER
in assessing water mains, viii ne be kind enough
10 take his pencil and give US the cost OF laying
the street the present price iron and the price
he paid per nneal foot TOT laying 6-inch mains
when he was water registrar; then make the
assessment at X cents per square foot on the
lots aoutting, and give US the result?
One OF the best plumbers in this city offered TO
enter into contract, under heavy bonds, mort
gaging HIS entire property for security To lay the
water mains IN this city FOR one-han the people
are now paving for them.
AS Mr.. Bond seems TO be engaged In the dual
capacity OF attorney for the committee OF one
hundred and special attorney Tor the water de-
partment perhaps he will favor US with an inter-
probation OF the following item that find In the
commissioners last Estimates viz:
"Puntping expenses and pipe iii tribu ion,
E25 oCO"
He knows something about how books should
he kept In The water office; Will he please tell
what connection pumping water on Meridian Hill
and Georgetown Heights has with laying water
mains en- Capitol iill? One is paid for out OF the
water fund, the other by assessment on the prop
erty abuttiDg. Why are they bumped to-
gether? / IND this same expression run
ming all through The commissioners report. What
Kind Of bookkeeping Is this that JurnbleS up
things IN this manner? There is evidently pur-
pose In IT, aud that purpose IS 10 confuse and
found The people SO they shall not really know the
great difference between the cost OF laying water
mains and the amount the people are paying for
them.
This matter cannot be slurred or sneered down
1t will have 70 be met. President Cleveland would
do Wei 70 give his attention TO IL, or he VIII be
held responsible Tor what Is going on. Knowing
what do, do lot hesitate 10 speak out this
subject i denOunce the attempt to raise water
rents and water taxes, now being made, "a con-
sgiracy 10 extort money from 2O0,O0 people by
false pretenseS- j. II. CRANE